Three Game Pass Games That Can Justify Your Membership During the Weekend (Nov. 21-23)

After the recent price increase for Game Pass Ultimate, the initial uproar has subsided. Although it might not be seen as the absolute best offer in gaming anymore, the platform has introduced several big-name day-one releases recently, such as Ninja Gaiden 4 and The Outer Worlds 2. Those titles only enhance a massive library of numerous games perfect for weekend gaming binges.

This week's recommendations include a therapeutic action game, an prize-winning independent gem, and a essential HD-2D RPG.

Sniper Elite: Resistance

Every so often, everyone needs a bit of release. Over two decades, the Sniper Elite franchise has delivered precisely that. Rebellion Developments' enduring shooter series presents players ultraviolent carnage against enemy forces. This year, the studio released Sniper Elite: Resistance, a timely new entry to the franchise. Although it doesn't reinvent the gameplay, Resistance is a polished dose of immersive sim World War II sandboxes filled with Nazi targets. The sniping is as brutal and gratifying as ever, featuring the series' signature killcam showing each shot's impact in graphic, explicit detail. It's a violent thrill for every pacifist looking to unwind in the security of a virtual world.

Resist 1000x

1000xResist tells an critically acclaimed narrative touching on post-pandemic existence, family pain, and other deep themes. It approaches these subjects through a science fiction perspective; you assume the role of Watcher, one of multiple clones of Iris, the sole person left of a pandemic that wiped out humanity. Watcher and her sister clones delve into Iris's memories from when Earth was beset by that horrific plague, as well as experiences of her education and home life, both of which were easy for a teenager. Watcher learns Iris is not all that she seems, and the plot unfolds from there. Should all that mystery fails to grab your interest, the game indeed start with a killing. What could be a more gripping opening than this?

Octopath Traveler 2

Admittedly, completing a gazillion-hour RPG in just nine days is a challenging task, but if there's any game deserving trying the grind for, it's Octopath Traveler 2. Square Enix's HD-2D gem is departing Game Pass at the close of the month (as is the first game, which is also included). However, due to a holiday in the midst, at least for those in the U.S., it's theoretically achievable. Octopath Traveler 2 follows eight characters, each representing a distinct story style. You'll find a investigative tale about a priest looking into the death of his church's archbishop. A trader aiming to eradicate poverty through the force of commerce stars in a frontier-inspired adventure. Additionally, there's a mystery about an apothecary with amnesia (since every good RPGs need a character with an unknown past, of course). A few of these stories intertwine in unexpected, intriguing ways, while you progress through a gorgeous Industrial Revolution inspired setting. And the combat is excellent — stat-focused gameplay distilled to its purest form.